Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 665. Who does this concern? (5)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
"It’s Mt. Hua."
Bop Kye looked up at the mountain peak with a very unpleasant eye.
He had felt this way when he came here with Bop Jeong in the past, but Mt. Hua definitely is not a good place for a Taoist to settle.
Doesn't the towering peak seem to threaten people rather than embrace them?
But Bop Kye soon shook his head lightly to shake off his thoughts.
Right now, he was on his way to congratulate the founding of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, following Bangjang's order. It was best not to have unnecessary thoughts.
His mission was to congratulate them as quietly as possible without revealing his presence as much as he could...
‘Huh?’
Bop Kye tilted his head at an odd sight that suddenly crossed his eyes.
A group of people had gathered at the mountain gate, anxiously watching the people coming up.
Of course, it wasn't that strange to have people gathered there, as he have been sick and tired of crowds all the way to Mt. Hua. However, the problem was that the people gathered there were quite familiar to Bop Kye.
'Why are they there?'
Judging by their outfits, they seemed to be members of the Ten Great Sect and the Five Great Family. Why were they there, so anxiously waiting, when they should have been resting comfortably in their accommodations?
The more absurd event happened next.
"He, He’s coming!"
"Here he comes!"
‘Yes?’
Suddenly receiving all their attention, Bop Kye was perplexed.
People from the Ten Great Sect and the Five Great Family rushed toward him and surrounded him.
"A- Amitabha. Why, why are you doing this?"
"It's been a long time! Elder Bop Kye!"
Even their greetings were urgent. After quickly greeting and showing minimal courtesy, they quickly opened their mouths.
"We have a question for Shaolin."
"Yes?"
"Is… Is, Is it true that Mount Hua disciples went to the North Sea and fought against Magyo?"
Bop Kye opened his eyes wide.
"Whe- Where…. did you hear that...?"
"Gungju of the North Sea Ice Clan said it himself. Is that true?"
"…Amitabha."
Momentarily at a loss for words, Bop Kay managed to chant and closed his eyes tightly.
'In the end...'
It's not that he tried to hide it. He just kept his mouth shut because it would have been strange for Shaolin to gossip about it when Mount Hua didn't mention it themselves. Isn't it strange to announce it when no one asks first?
But it seemed that the news had broken out now.
"Is that true?"
"…Yes, it is."
Bop Kye nodded his head. There was no reason not to confirm it now that everyone knew.
"Didn't we already tell you before that traces of Magyo were found in the North Sea, and asked for your cooperation?"
“…….”
"It was a place that even Shaolin could not reach. That's why I asked Mount Hua for help. Fortunately, thanks to Mount Hua's aid in going to the North Sea, we were able to prevent the remnants of Magyo from causing havoc."
"......Hmm."
"Of all things……."
Seeing the resentment mixed in their gazes as they returned, Bop Kay muttered his displeasure.
'Foolish.'
If the sects present here had supported Shaolin and put forth their efforts together to resolve the matter in the North Sea, this situation would not have occurred. In the end, it was their own negligence that led to this, so how could they react like this?
‘Bangjang.’
It just dawned on Bop Kye why Bop Jeong was protecting Mount Hua.
"Of course, it's a good thing that Magyo was stopped... But who would have thought that this news would be revealed now......"
"The reaction is quite unusual."
"It seems that our sect will need to take a stand."
Looking at those who couldn't even hide their panic, Bop Kye sighed rather explicitly.
"Amitabha."
It was supposed to be a place to only deliver congratulations, but a heavy feeling weighed on their hearts at just the start.
“…….”
Chung Myung alternately looked at Maeng So and Seol So-baek's faces.
"…Do you really have to?"
"Yes."
"So openly?"
"Hahahahat."
Maeng So burst into laughter.
"Openly you say. If anyone knew it, they'll know it's not something to be kept secret! Far from being ashamed to be known, it is something to be proud of, why not say it all the time!"
"Anyway……."
Chung Myung clicked his tongue.
As he feel every time they meet, Maeng So is not as slow-witted as he appears. On the contrary, he was incredibly smart and quick-witted.
Maeng So is the perfect fit for the term ‘Fox in bear's clothing.’
There was no way he would have mentioned the Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign in front of so many people without any thought. It must have been a calculated move.
"You should have told me in advance."
"Do we have to?"
Maeng So laughed as if he had heard a funny story.
"It's not a matter for me to ask permission to talk about the benefactor of Yunnan. No matter how much you're Mount Hua's disciple."
"Hngg. That’s true, but...….”
‘It's me, you son of a beast! I am the Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign!’
‘Wow, it's been a long time since I said that! People of the world! I am the Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign! I am the Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign, and the Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign is me!’
"And!"
Kwang!
At that moment, Maeng So suddenly hit the table violently. It was amazing that the table survived the blow from his huge, pot lid-like hand.
"During my journey here, I was so angry I couldn't bear it! These ungrateful bastards don't even know who the Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign is! Can you believe that?!"
The people, who learned for the first time that a human voice could make the roof shake, secretly covered their ears.
"These shameless ungrateful things! If Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign hadn't defeated Magyo, you wouldn't even be alive right now! How dare they treat Mount Hua like this!"
"J- Just calm down for now.….”
"Do I look like I'm going to calm down now? This is something that could never happen in Yunnan!"
Maeng So, whose face flushed bright red in anger, relentlessly pounded on the table. Whenever Maeng So hit the side of the tea utensil he loved, Hyun Jong's face gradually turned pale.
"These little bastards who will be struck by lightning!”
‘Uh... That's true. That's the right thing to say...’
‘But if you get so angry like that, it's a bit awkward for me to get angry together...’
It was then.
"That's right!"
"Huh?"
Chung Myung turned his head. Seol So-baek clenched his teeth with a red face.
"I can understand forgetting the past. But they brought down that Magyo!"
"Remnants! Remnants! Not the Magyo itself, but the remnants of Magyo!"
‘It's the remnants, you punk! Don't say Magyo. If you say that, it sounds like we did something incredibly great. Even the old Mount Hua couldn't do that!’
"Isn't Mount Hua the one who saved the North Sea and even further, Jungwon! Yet, when Mount Hua forms a new alliance, they can't even come immediately to bow their heads!"
"Are, are you crazy?”
"Of course, I'm saying this in my right mind!"
“…….”
"How can they see the situation so slyly!"
"That's what I'm saying!"
The bulky Maeng So and still-growing Seol So-baek joined forces and clasped hands.
Chung Myung grinned at the incredible sight.
'Will it be okay?'
Is it really okay for such a clueless bunch of people to come together and form an alliance?
Tang Gun-ak, who had been listening quietly until now, smiled bitterly and opened his mouth.
"If they don't know, we just need to let them know."
"That's right!"
"Exactly."
"Even though it is said that Mount Hua's reputation might not have been as high as what it had achieved, that was only until now. If we spread the word about Mount Hua's past and what Mount Hua has done now and show respect, Kangho will also do the same."
Maeng So snorted.
"Do you think those ungrateful bastards will understand that?"
"I know right!"
‘So-baek... Don't get influenced by that guy. The people of North Sea will only have a hard time. Why did you come here...’
Suddenly, the arrow returned to Chung Myung.
"Don't you even get mad, Dojang-nim? The peace they enjoy is one that Dojang-nim fought for with your life!"
"No, what can I do if they don't know?"
"There's no way that no one knew! But those who knew the whole story kept their mouths shut, and that's why this happened! I'm so angry."
Chung Myung smirked at Seol So-baek, who was flushed in anger.
"Angry……."
Seol So-baek might be talking about what happened in North Sea, but it sounded to Chung Myung as if he was mentioning a story from the past.
"Of course, I'm angry..."
Chung Myung shrugged his shoulders.
"But I don't plan on yelling for them to understand."
"Why not?"
"Even if they know, they won't help when needed."
“…….”
It was a somewhat sarcastic remark.
Seol So-baek looked blankly at Chung Myung.
"Fame and praise are good. But they're not helpful when you really need them. If it meant anything, there would be no downfall for Mount Hua.”
"Hmm..."
"What I need is not someone that sends praise, but someone who I can leave my back with. I mean……."
Chung Myung, who had been speaking faintly, suddenly grinned.
"Like the people gathered here."
"Hahahaha!"
Maeng So smacked his thigh as if he was pleased.
"That's true. Mount Hua Divine Dragon has a way of getting to the core of the matter. Though it's problematic that he usually only pokes at the trivial things."
‘Excuse me? There was no need to add that last remark, was there?’
Maeng So, who had stopped laughing, smiled.
"You're not wrong. It's the essence that counts. We gathered here for that reason."
"Yes, that's right."
Even Seol So-baek nodded.
Tang Gun-ak calmly added to the conversation.
"That's why we have Heavenly Comrade Alliance. Haven't we already experienced more than enough relationships where we only exchange pleasantries and calculate gains behind each other's backs?"
Everyone nodded in agreement with those words.
"I believe we gathered here to become a relationship where we can help each other, setting aside benefits and practicality."
"That's right."
"Yes."
The three people's gazes were focused on Hyun Jong.
"Sect Leader, I know it's not an easy position. But the three sects here are gathered only because of their relationship with Mount Hua. So, on behalf of Mount Hua, please take the place of the Maengju of Heavenly Comrade Alliance and lead everyone."
This is already a settled matter.
However, this was the first time it was officially declared in a gathering of the leaders of the four sects.
Hyun Jong, who had been quietly stroking his teacup, smiled broadly.
"It's a little different. Tang Gaju-nim."
"Yes?"
"If we gathered to trust and help each other, the term 'leading' is not appropriate. I'd just think of it as us wearing one robe together."
"Ah……."
"Everyone, please help Mount Hua. We, Mount Hua, will do our best to help everyone."
At those words, the three people nodded their heads. They, too, were feeling it.
"Chung Myung-ah."
"Yes?"
Chung Myung raised his head at Hyun Jong's call.
"Is this enough?"
"Um…"
Chung Myung scratched his cheek.
"I don't know if I'm in a position to speak."
"When did you ever care about that?"
"Hahaha. I didn’t know you could read the room, Mount Hua Divine Dragon, even if it’s just pretending."
"As expected of Dojang-nim! You're so polite!”
“…….”
Of those people, Chung Myung, who thought that Seol So-saek was the meanest among those people, grimaced and said.
"I think Ten Great Sect and Five Great Family must have looked like this at first."
"Huh?"
"At first, they must have gathered with good intentions, and maybe they were places where they helped each other at first."
“…….”
"But as time goes on, relationships tend to deteriorate, and something else interferes."
"That's right."
"We don't know now, but it might happen in the future."
Everyone nodded with a heavy faces as if he had a point.
"That’s why."
Paang!
Chung Myung slammed the floor and smiled.
"Let's try not to let that happen!"
"Ho."
"So that we can be a strength to each other."
Everyone smiled silently.
Although they were smiling on the outside, in the end, the relationship between sects required a lot of thought on the inside.
But hearing such words made them want to put down all those things for a moment. That was the power of Chung Myung that bring all these people here.
Hyun Jong looked at Chung Myung with an incredibly proud gaze and spoke in a gentle voice.
"Chung Myung-ah."
"Yes!"
Chung Myung stretched his neck slightly like a puppy waiting for praise.
"I saw that you spoke informally to Seol Gungju-nim earlier."
“…….”
"Be polite."
“…….”
Chung Myung's head slowly turned to Seol So-baek.
Looking at the young face looking at his side with an awkward face, Chung Myung desperately held back the tears welling up in his eyes.
'How old... How old do you think I am?'
‘What can I say……. What's the point of saying it.’
‘Cheong Mun Sahyung.’
‘This is how I live...….’
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|note
Also our peepaw has a LOT of things he should be credited and praised for. Killing a half-assed bishop is actually on the lower end of his achievements. Maybe the beast palace warriors will brag about him in the later chapters? *Snorts copium*
This chap was great! And seol so baek and maeng so shaking hands probably looked like a lion holding hands with a hamster lol